When advertisers place an ad — a tv, print, radio, or online spot — they try to place it in a program or publication where their core customer group is likely to see it. If you’re watching the Masters, you’ll see a lot of commercials for golf clubs, balls, and any product/service that Tiger happens to endorse.
While watching the season premier of “the Biggest Loser” the other night, I saw a lot of targeted ads for weight loss programs and low-calorie foods. I also saw this one for the Dominos Oreo Cookie Pizza. Mmmm… gross.
I actually loved the dry humor of this ad. But even if I’d had any inclination to eat a box of Oreos drizzled with icing (not a chance of that), the visuals turned my stomach. I suspect most viewers will have the same reaction.
Nowadays, a lot of ads garner attention, but they don’t always help sell the product. As in this case, good creative might even detract from the product.
Given all the recent attention paid to obesity and diabetes, I also thought the placement was in very poor taste. The spot actually played right around the time on the show when the trainers presented tables of high fat, high sugar processed snacks and called them “poison.” Nice timing Dominos.
Javaun’s Disclaimer: I watch TV maybe twice a month, and I just happened to get stuck on the Biggest Loser. What can I say, I’m a sucker for the overcoming adversity stuff.